Typhoon Maysak Nears Northern Vietnam Coast

Northern Vietnam, particularly the coastal areas of Quảng Ninh and Hải Phòng provinces, is on high alert as Typhoon Maysak approaches. As of 6 AM local time on July 4, the storm's eye was located approximately 80 km southeast of Bạch Long Vĩ Island in Hải Phòng and 180 km east-southeast of Móng Cái City in Quảng Ninh. The typhoon carries maximum sustained winds of 88 km/h (Category 8-9), with gusts reaching up to 118 km/h (Category 11). The typhoon is forecast to maintain its northwest trajectory and make landfall on the coast of Quảng Ninh province around 4 PM today, with its intensity largely unchanged. It is then expected to move into southern Guangxi, China, where it will weaken into a tropical depression and subsequently a low-pressure area. In response, the Gulf of Tonkin is experiencing strong winds ranging from Category 6-7, intensifying to Category 8-9 near the storm's core, with waves reaching 2-4 meters. This poses a significant risk of capsizing or damage to fishing vessels, cargo ships, and tourist boats, as well as impacting fisheries, maritime transport, aquaculture, and coastal infrastructure. Coastal regions of Quảng Ninh, Hải Phòng, and Hưng Yên provinces are bracing for gale-force winds from Category 6 to Category 7-8, with gusts up to Category 9-10, from noon to afternoon today. The combination of high waves and a storm surge of 0.2-0.4 meters could lead to localized flooding in estuaries and low-lying coastal areas, affecting dykes, seawalls, transportation networks, and coastal structures. Furthermore, the typhoon's outer bands are expected to bring widespread heavy rainfall to the northeastern provinces and Thanh Hóa province from this morning through July 5. Rainfall totals are projected to range from 100-200 mm, with localized amounts exceeding 200-300 mm in the northeast, and potentially over 500 mm in some areas. This heavy precipitation increases the risk of urban flooding, industrial zone inundation, and low-lying area flooding. It also heightens the danger of flash floods on small rivers and streams, and landslides in mountainous regions. Meteorological agencies are also warning of thunderstorms, squalls, and strong gusts associated with the typhoon's approach. Residents in Quảng Ninh, Hải Phòng, Hưng Yên, and other northeastern provinces are urged to closely monitor the storm's developments and implement necessary preventative measures. The National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, along with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has issued directives to northeastern provinces and Thanh Hóa to account for all vessels, assess areas vulnerable to flooding and landslides, and prepare for potential evacuations. Yesterday, authorities provided information and guidance to over 56,200 vessels and nearly 250,000 workers to seek safe harbor. Quảng Ninh, Hải Phòng, and Ninh Bình have already imposed sea bans. Information Source: VnExpress